Best 4 Mamma Marias Baked Ziti Pasta Al Forno Recipes

Mamma Maria's Baked Ziti Pasta al Forno is a classic Italian dish that combines tender pasta, a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, and a combination of cheeses for a truly indulgent meal. This hearty pasta al forno is perfect for feeding a crowd and is sure to be a hit at any gathering.

The recipe starts with a homemade tomato sauce that is simmered to perfection, infusing it with a savory and aromatic flavor. The pasta is cooked al dente and then tossed with the sauce, creating a delicious combination of textures. The dish is then layered in a baking dish with mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheeses, creating a gooey and flavorful topping.

Once baked, the pasta al forno emerges from the oven with a golden crust and bubbling cheese. The aroma of the dish is simply irresistible. Serve it with a side of garlic bread or a crisp salad for a complete and satisfying meal.

In addition to the classic baked ziti pasta al forno recipe, the article also includes variations such as a vegetarian version made with roasted vegetables, a creamy Alfredo version, and a spicy Arrabbiata version. There's also a recipe for a quick and easy one-pot pasta al forno that's perfect for busy weeknights.

Whether you're a fan of classic Italian cuisine or looking for something new and exciting, Mamma Maria's Baked Ziti Pasta al Forno is sure to satisfy your cravings. With its rich flavors, hearty ingredients, and customizable variations, this dish is a must-try for pasta lovers everywhere.

Let's cook with our recipes!

NONNA MARIA'S PASTA AL FORNO (PASTA IN THE OVEN)

Nonna Maria's Pasta Al Forno (Pasta in the Oven) image

If my mom wasn't making some kind of pasta laddled with sauce, it was Pasta al Forno, which simply means, Pasta in the Oven. It was my favorite and my dad's too, who may I add worked at a company called Miceli's Dairy. My dad always had access to the freshest cheese and ricotta. Sometimes still warm brought home. He worked...

Provided by Annamaria Settanni McDonald

Categories Beef

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 lb ziti, penne or rigatoni pasta
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 salt
1/4 pepper
26 oz mids meat sauce or your favorite sauce or homemade
1 lb ground cooked beef mixed in to sauce. (optional)
15 oz ricotta cheese
7 slice deli ham, chopped
4 hard boiled eggs, chopped in chunks not finely
1 c shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 c grated romano and parmesan cheese mixed
TOPPING
2 c shredded mozzarella

Steps:

1. Cook pasta noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Place olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Brown beef. Add pasta sauce, reduce heat to low and stir in noodles.
3. Place ricotta, mozzarella, ham, parmesan, salt and pepper into a large bowl. Stir until well combined.
4. Place ½ pasta into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spoon ricotta mixture evenly over pasta, covering entire dish. Sprinkle chopped eggs patting them down. Pour remaining pasta over cheese, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

MAMMA MARIA'S BAKED ZITI (PASTA AL FORNO)

Mamma Maria's Baked Ziti (Pasta al Forno) image

This baked ziti recipe is super hearty and filling. A great dinner if you're serving a crowd. The homemade sauce does not have the typical seasoning you expect in an Italian dish so it's slightly sweeter than what you'd expect in sauce. When combined with the savory cheese, the sweet sauce is a perfect combination. Diced...

Provided by Lin Kev

Categories Beef

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 lb ziti, cooked
3 eggs, hard boiled
1 lb ground beef
1 can(s) peas, 15 oz.
1 pkg shredded mozzarella, 16 oz.
1 c Parmesan cheese
1 c ricotta cheese
INGREDIENTS FOR MOM'S SAUCE
1 can(s) tomato puree, 28 oz.
4 Tbsp sugar
2-3 sprig(s) basil, fresh
1 small onion, sliced thin
1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
1 can(s) water (empty puree can)

Steps:

1. Start by making the sauce. In a big pot, heat oil. Add onions and cook until lightly browned.
2. Add tomato puree.
3. Use an empty sauce can and fill with water add to the sauce.
4. Cook sauce in medium heat for 10 minutes or so then add sugar, basil and stir, continue to cook the sauce for another 30 minutes stirring occasionally.
5. Preheat oven at 375 degrees F. Brown ground beef and drain fat.
6. Chop boiled eggs.
7. Cook pasta as directed; make it a little al dente. Drain pasta and put it back in the pot.
8. Add ground beef and peas to the sauce.
9. Pour enough sauce to lightly coat the pasta. Make sure you divide the sauce so you can have enough for the baking preparation.
10. In a 13x9 pan, pour a scoop of sauce and spread it all around the pan.
11. Add half of the pasta. Layer the eggs on top of every section of the pasta.
12. Then with a teaspoon, layer the ricotta on every section of the pasta until the whole cup is gone.
13. Add half the sauce on top.
14. Then sprinkle half of the grated Parmesan cheese and a half bag of mozzarella.
15. Pour the remaining pasta on top and add the sauce.
16. Top grated cheese and mozzarella. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and cook for about 30 to 40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to allow to slightly brown. Mom used to let it sit for about 10 minutes so when you would cut portions they wouldn't fall apart.
17. You can choose whatever item you like in the ziti... but we love it just like that... it's filling and it's good.

OLIVE GARDEN FIVE-CHEESE ZITI AL FORNO

Olive Garden Five-Cheese Ziti Al Forno image

Make and share this Olive Garden Five-Cheese Ziti Al Forno recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Nailah

Categories Oven

Time 1h10m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

4 cups tomato sauce
2 cups alfredo sauce
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
3 tablespoons Fontina cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon garlic pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons romano cheese, grated
3 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
1 tablespoon fresh garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley, chopped
1 lb dry ziti pasta
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Steps:

PREPARE THE ZITI SAUCE:.
Combining all ingredients for the Ziti Sauce in a large bowl; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
PREPARE THE ZITI TOPPING:.
In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the first four ingredients for the Ziti Topping.
Add the garlic, oil, and parsley and mix until thoroughly blended. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
WHEN READY TO PREPARE THE WHOLE DISH:.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 13-by-9-inch baking dish or large casserole with non-stick spray.
Prepare the pasta according to package directions.
Pour 1/2 cup of prepared ziti sauce into the prepared dish, and spread it evenly over the bottom using a spoon.
When pasta has finished cooking, drain the water and pour the hot pasta into the bowl of remaining sauce. Mix thoroughly; pour into the baking dish.
Spread 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the pasta and sauce mixture.
Top the mozzarella with the prepared Ziti Topping, spreading evenly.
Place pan on center oven rack and bake until top is golden brown and cheese is bubbling, about 30 to 40 minutes.
Remove and serve immediately.
From: Olive Garden Restaurant.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 732.9, Fat 31.7, SaturatedFat 14.9, Cholesterol 82.1, Sodium 1652.2, Carbohydrate 76.1, Fiber 5.6, Sugar 10.6, Protein 36.4

MOM'S PASTA AL FORNO

Mom's Pasta al Forno image

Mom used to make this pasta al forno on special days, like on holidays and a lot of Sundays. It was a big treat for us. It is a lot of work because of all the ingredients that you have to layer on the pasta but it's well worth it. You can choose whatever you like in the ziti, but we love it just like this. It's filling and it's good.

Provided by sabinact

Categories 100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes Pasta by Shape Recipes Ziti Recipes

Time 1h55m

Yield 14

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, sliced
3 (15 ounce) cans tomato puree
4 ¼ cups water, or to taste
6 tablespoons white sugar
6 leaves fresh basil
2 pounds ziti
1 pound ground beef
1 (8 ounce) container ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons water
1 (15 ounce) can green peas, drained
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced, ends discarded
1 (16 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese

Steps:

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion; saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in tomato puree and water; cook for 10 minutes. Stir in sugar and basil. Reduce heat to low; simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
While the sauce is cooking, bring a very large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Add ground beef to cooked pasta. Mix in enough tomato sauce to lightly coat the pasta.
Mix ricotta cheese and water in a bowl until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Spread a ladleful of sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add 1/2 of the pasta, all of the ricotta cheese, peas, and 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese. Layer the sliced eggs on every section of the pasta; cover with 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese. Pour remaining pasta, Parmesan cheese, sauce, and mozzarella on top. Cover with aluminum foil.
Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and bubbly, 40 to 50 minutes. Let stand for about 10 minutes before cutting, so slices don't fall apart.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 561 calories, Carbohydrate 67.6 g, Cholesterol 111.3 mg, Fat 18.9 g, Fiber 4.9 g, Protein 30.1 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 771.2 mg, Sugar 13.4 g

Tips:

For a richer flavor, use a combination of Italian sausage and ground beef.
If you don't have ricotta cheese, you can substitute cottage cheese.
If you don't have Parmesan cheese, you can substitute Romano cheese.
If you don't have ziti pasta, you can use penne or rigatoni.
To make the dish ahead of time, assemble the ziti and sauce and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Then, bake as directed.
Serve with a side of garlic bread or a green salad.

Conclusion:

Mamma Maria's Baked Ziti is a classic Italian dish that is perfect for a family meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With a few simple tips, you can create a delicious and memorable dish that will be enjoyed by everyone at the table.